Latrel Dontae Smith-Vaden, a 20-year-old resident of Joliet, Illinois, lost his life to gun violence on June 6, 2023. The incident occurred in the 600 block of East Benton Street on Joliet’s East Side, an area known for recurring gun violence and murder. Smith-Vaden suffered a gunshot wound to the head and was provided medical assistance by officers at the scene until paramedics arrived. He was subsequently taken to Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox, where he was pronounced dead.
Smith-Vaden was a recent graduate of Joliet West High School, having completed his education in 2020. He had a keen interest in automobiles and had taken AutoTech classes during his time at the high school. His passion for cars was evident, and NASCAR was his favorite. At the time of his death, he was scheduled to begin his employment at Walmart in Joliet just a day later.
The investigation into Smith-Vaden's shooting is ongoing, and as of the latest reports, no arrests have been made. The Joliet police are seeking information from the public and have provided contact details for anyone with relevant information. Individuals can contact the police department’s investigation unit at 815-724-3020 or Crime Stoppers of Will County at 800-323-6734 to provide anonymous tips.
Smith-Vaden was part of a large family, being the fifth of ten children. His family includes his parents, Correy Berry and Angel Berry, and numerous siblings. He was also close to his grandmothers, Lucinda Berry and Florence Wiggins, and his godparents, Sharita Rush and Harry Bullock. His funeral service was held at Mt. Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago, a place where he was christened and baptized.
The community mourned the loss of Smith-Vaden, who died just two months shy of his 21st birthday. His death marked the fifth homicide in Joliet for the year 2023 and was the second fatal shooting in the city's east side within a week, following the death of 16-year-old Antoine Shropshire.
